The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-03-11
HENRY WARD BEEcHER DEAD.

The apoplectic stroke which the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher's physicians had
long feared. came with startling effect
Saturday afternoon. 1t was stated by
the physicians soon after the attack that
there was no hope for the great preach
er's recovery, but that it was likely he
would not Immediately die. This proved
to be the case. The patient fingered in
an unconscious CONDITION until Tuesday
forenoon at 9 o'clock, when the life of
the greatest preacher and lecturer the
country has known ebbed out. He was
attended throughout the illness by his
wife, sons and daughter.
1t is doubtful if any other living
American has occupied for so many
years as prominent place in the mind
and heart of the people of his country as
Henry Ward Beecber. The story of his
life is one continual fight for the right
and justice in every affair of interest to
the people. In both secular and religl-
Gus matters his views were liberal and
characterized by breadth and fairness,
but no cause was so unpopular or posi-
ton 80 radical that he could be deferred
from espousing if only convinced of its
justice. The services of Mr.. Beecher to
his country in the time Of the great civil
war cannot be too strongly valued. Con-
Yinced Of the moral wrong of slavery he
espoused the cause Of the negro, and
while not of the radical abolitlonists, yet
he did more than any of them 10 mould
public opinion in favor of the justice of
the position taken by the North. Mr..
Beecher took upon himself the CONVEX
sion of England, whose most liberal
statemen were known 10 be friendly to
the South, and he stood undaunted be-
fore the mnltItudes in London, Liver
pool and elsewhere, and by his logical
and matchless oratory argued the case
of his country. The effect was at once to
establish the neutrality Of England, and
eventually TO produce a manifest change
in public opinion there in regard to the
justice of the war for the liberty of the
negro. The indomitable courage of the
man bore him safely through the trial
which seemed for a time likely to de-
stroy his hold upon the affections of the
people, and though the memory of that
tangle of peuuries and contra
doubtless left its effect both up
on the people and the great man him
self, still he was saved TO halfa genera
ton more of usefulness. Though his
faults may have been many, and much
Of the criticism of his opposers just, it
can be truly said that no stain rests upon
the life of MI. Beecher, and the eventful
career he has just closed forms one of
the grandest in the history of the coun-
try.
A detailed biography Is impossible
here, but the following forms asummary
Of the most important points:
Henry Ward Beeoher was born at Lit chfieId,
Conn. on June ~, 1918, His father was Rev.
Or. Lyman Beecher, who began life as black
smith and rose to be the leader OF orthodoxy
10 New England. Mr.. Beecher was graduated
theology at Lane Seminary and, 1857, became |
The pastor OF q church at Lawrenceburg. He |
TO Indianapolis in 1889. In I847 he |
accepted q call to Plymouth church, Brooklyn |
the center of q power which |
continues TO influence modern thought to a |
1ery remarkable degree. Mr.. Beecher's utter |
ances. widely heard from his own lips and |
nave divided Protestant Christendom into his !
admirers and detractors. Before the civil war !
n the United States the pastor of the Ply !
mouth church had become distinguished /
lmong the opponents OF slavery, an 1Rstitu- /
Ion which be attacked whenever opportunity !
'eryed and without regarding the advice of I
UW the example OF thoss Teachers who. while
haGing hi views on the subject, kept them L
% themselves. The outbreak Of the war en-
tilted BeechePs patriotism to red heat. Ply
mouth church equipped soldiers TO fight for
he Union cause. When hostilitles were In I
progress Mr.. Beecher visited Great Britain as
representative OF the federal cause, and
made many public addresses in Its defense.
His oratorical gifts were at their best. and he
afUer q campaign which was OF great
Taiue 70 the cause he advocated. more i'm
In the direction Of stimulating the |
zeal Of its friends than in diminishing the
number Of Its enemies, Upon his return he
'esumed his pastoral duties, and continued in
heir exercise since. The unhappy scandal
with which his name was associated publicly
u 1874 and 1873 unQuesttonably weakened him
)efore the people, but be maintained his place
1.-THE inc 9 ,s q = American No Other
,loquence, the same command over the emo
ions OF his hearers, the same ready wit and
ease OF delivery. His versatility
vas wonderful, his liberality of thought and
entiments not less extraordinary. In Mr..
3eecher the Union cause during its darkest
lays found It's most eloquent and influential
hampton, His sermons and speeches In de
ense Of the Union were models Of impasslon-
ri, logical, patriotic utterances. He was for
many years editor Of the ChrisfiaR Union, q con-
ributor TO the periodical press, the author of
'arious books and perhaps the mOst popular
ecturer In the land In addition To his ser
mons he published "1he Star Papers," Lee
ures 20 Young Men," "lndustry and Idle
Iess." life Thoughts" "The Plymouth Col
ection Of Hymns and Tunes" Norwood" a
lUy0l, The Life OF Christ (still incompletodJ
nd yale Lectures on Preaching" His an.
Iusl salary as pastor was $50, 900, and for one
ear -l674-it was doubled. During his visit
o England last year Mr.. BeecheF received
much attention, and me preached in many
hurches In London and lectured In several
tiles. Mrs. Beecher accompanied him Mr..
Ieecher,s political adherence was given as a
eneraI thing, to the Republican party, but he
laimed and exercised the voters right 70 an
Judgment on candidates and
uestions. He was an advocate Of free trade.
he wife OF his yolth survives him. His chill
rem MI useful positiOns-